Week Zero Game of the Week

Published 7:23 pm, Thursday, August 29, 2013

Central receiver Garrison Mitchell, 10, is tackled by Jalen Barnes during the Central vs. Memorial game Friday at Memorial Stadium in Port Arthur.

Central receiver Garrison Mitchell, 10, is tackled by Jalen Barnes during the Central vs. Memorial game Friday at Memorial Stadium in Port Arthur.

Photo: Matt Billiot

Week Zero Game of the Week

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Something that had been brewing within Ian Bramble was ready to come out.

He chuckled before he said it, debating whether now was the time.

"Memorial better watch out," the Central senior wide receiver said.

He was exuding a confidence that has been absent for the past couple years at Central, in which the Jaguars did not win more than three games in a season.

But with a new coach and new attitude, Central will begin the 2013-14 season against Port Arthur Memorial at 7 p.m. Friday in the Thomas Center.

In the past, Bramble couldn't make such a claim. If he did, not many would take him seriously, like a mouse threatening an elephant.

This season though, Central –picked to finish second in the Enterprise preseason predictions- could pull off the upset.

"(We're) not really an underdog, it's just going to be whoever goes out there and executes," said Central sophomore Devwah Whaley.

Bramble said the difference this year was apparent in the team's scrimmages.

"Everything has really changed," he said. "We have coach (Toby) Foreman here now and we're more confident in ourselves…there's much more discipline right off the bat. The false starts, all that, it's gone."

But Foreman is staying grounded, understanding his team is opening the season against a contender in District 21-5A.

"(Memorial) is one of the most athletic teams on our schedule, if not the most athletic team," Foreman said.